Whether by instinct, or by a cultivated necessity,
pacing yourself is an important skill to develop in this culture of gaming.
I speak mainly for myself, but I am sure that out there are a lot of people who have the same problem.
The having so much fun you venture into too much fun territory.
It’s easy to get addicted to that feeling of excitement and satisfaction that comes with
a game well played or a craft completed.
Recently, I wrote of running three separate Dungeons & Dragons campaigns,
extended adventures that are focused on the characters of my players. However,
this has changed. I had to cancel one of these campaigns. It was a painfully embarrassing
failure to admit that I had over extended myself and I could not keep up with the commitments.
Self doubt and shame magnified by a former history of dropping the ball. My players were gracious
and kind, understanding when I explained the situation. It was still difficult,
because they had all been enjoying their experience so much.
I’d been the one responsible for the promise of fun, and then the one that took that potential away.
Even so, I do not regret the decision. Nearly immediately after pulling the plug on the newest
and shortest game group, my planning for the other games kicked in hard on the heels of
the abandoned project. It was as if my mind could only handle so much processing,
and lightening the load made all the difference.
As I face more creative projects and expand my hobby interests, I hope that the lesson will sink in
and stick with me. Time and energy all have limits, it may be a different amount for each person,
but better to learn where the limits are for yourself. Perhaps equally important is the effort of
pushing just a little past these boundaries from time to time. After all, I wouldn’t be writing a blog
about my hobbies if I just stuck to the bare minimum. At 34 years old, I am doing more,
learning more, and socializing more than I ever have. It’s time to temper the excitement of the new,
with the patience of experience. Time to settle in and really give my current interest a chance
to flourish and grow before my attention gets caught by the next curiosity.
Wish me luck.
